Bryce Canyon National Park - 2009
I visited Bryce Canyon National Park in September 2009. This is probably one of the most beautiful of all the National Parks in America. I did not realize how spectacular this was and only planned to stay a day and a half. I wish I had stayed longer. I will certainly have to go back there at least one more time. There is a 18-mile (one-way) drive, with 14 viewpoints along the way. The free park shuttle stops at many of these viewpoints. The most famous views and most of the hiking trails are in the Bryce Amphitheatre. The rock formations at Bryce are called 'hoodoos' (pronounced like voodoo). Erosion first forms 'grottos' in the rock. Then the back of the 'grotto' erodes and becomes 'windows'. With time, the top of the 'window' erodes and forms 'arches'. Finally, the center of the 'arch' breaks and you get the 'hoodoo'.
The first day I parked at the Visitor Center, and took the shuttle to Bryce Point. I went on the Peekaboo Loop Trail. This is 5.5 mile loop, with an elevation change of 1555 feet. The first 1.1 miles of this trail takes you to the actual Peekaboo trail loop and has some of the best views of the 'hoodoos'. This loop trail takes you from the rim down to the base of the valley, and back up again at least a couple of time along the way.
After lunch I took the Navajo Loop Trail. This is 1.3 mile loop, with an elevation change of 550 feet. This also takes you from the rim to the base of the valley and back up.
The next day I drove the portion of the scenic route that is not covered by the park shuttle, all the way to Rainbow Bridge. After that I walked part of the Rim Trail, from Sunrise Point to Inspiration Point, which is about 1.2 miles, and then left for Arches.
I liked this park so much that I stopped there on my way back, and took the Queen's Garden Trail. This is a 1.8 mile hike with an elevation change of 320 feet. If I ever go back, I would like to do the Fairyland Trail.
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| Bryce Canyon National Park - 2009 |
